How to Install and Maintain Shag Carpet

The right carpet can add style and beauty to your lovely home. Soft, luxurious shag carpet, will serve as the beautiful backdrop for the rest of your room.

Although it is an excellent option for nearly any space (excluding the bathroom and kitchen of course) it can take a beating. It will get a lot of wear and tear especially in high-traffic areas.

From kids to furry friends, your carpet will get walked all over every single day. You want to make sure you select the right type of shag carpet so it will stand up to the abuse over the years.

Shag carpet is an excellent option for bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms as it is soft and warm underfoot. Choosing the right one will depend entirely on your lifestyle and space.

When you find yourself in the middle of choosing the right type of shag carpet, it is extremely important to bear in mind what it will require in terms of installation and maintenance.

This article will serve as your complete guide for installing and maintaining your shag carpet so you can enjoy your luxe new flooring for many years to come.

The History of Shag Carpet

Shag carpeting has a long history. Flokati rugs with long, thick strands in natural hues, such as the one pictured here, were often used in ancient Greece and Central Asia as well as Turkey to decorate homes and buildings. Creative Commons flokati by mike krzeszak / CC by 2.0

The shag carpeting style has an interesting past. It traces its roots from the flokati rugs of ancient Greece. That is not the only place where they were popular.

Shag carpets were a hot commodity all over the Middle East. In areas such as Central Asia and Turkey, they were even used to decorate the palaces of royalty.

Those rugs were made using lengthy strands of woven goat hair. The long fibers gave it the trademark “shaggy” that you see in long, deep pile rugs. Another characteristic of this style of carpet is the soft texture that makes it feel like a dream to walk or sit upon.

This texture is created with the use of a looped yarn that when elevated creates a deep pile that is luxuriously soft. Perhaps that is why Americans fell in love with this style making it very popular in the 1960s and 1970s.

At that time it was associated with the generous, free-love aesthetic of hippies and beatniks. The deep pile and cushioned material of shag carpeting quickly rose to popularity.

During the roaring age of disco, this style of carpeting with its deep pile and cushioned construction became highly sought after.

However, as was the case with many trends of the 60s and 70s, the popularity of this well-received style began to wane in the 1980s. Fashionable ladies and gents began to view the shag style as dated and passé.

Although it did fall out of style for some time, it has made a rousing comeback. You will often see it in many luxe rug styles.

Shag carpet was all the rage in the 60s and 70s. Living rooms all over the country looked like the one pictured here, bedecked in wall-to-wall thick, speckled carpeting. Creative Commons Shag and Chandeliers by relux. / CC by 2.0

A Modern Take on an Old Classic

Frieze carpets are updated versions of the shag style and are frequently used in wall-to-wall installations such as the kind this article will be highlighting. While the shag style is great for area rugs, it is not very practical for covering an entire floor.

Realizing this, manufacturers have upped their shag game and given us frieze – the modern version of the old shag style. This classier twist on the shag carpet is not like the previous version found in mid-twentieth century homes and buildings.

This contemporary style has more refined features. The colors are far less garish – thank heavens. Have you seen green shag carpeting from the 60s? It is not a pretty sight.

Fortunately, times have changed and the shag has come a long way. The colors are much more tasteful and subdued. Classic neutrals such as cream, gray, white, or ivory, are often used.

Although the hues have been updated and the style has rebranded to the more upscale term “frieze,” the one thing that did not change is the plush, cushy quality of this amazing carpeting style.

If you are in the market for the shag carpet look but you do not want to use it all over the room, it is better to buy a rug.

If you are not in the market for a full spread of a shag style carpet look, then just dip your toe in the water and opt for a shag rug. You will get the same look and save some money to boot. The one here blends well with the wood floor underneath.

On the other hand, if you desire to have the shag carpet look installed wall-to-wall, you would do well to consider the modern version of the shag carpet – the frieze.

This article will show you the best way to install and maintain your modern shag inspired frieze carpet. But, before you install your carpet you have to buy it.

The buying process can feel overwhelming. But, armed with an understanding of the pros and cons of the style and fiber construction of your carpet you will be able to navigate this new territory with confidence.

Know Your Carpet’s Construction

Before we even get into how to install carpet, we need to understand how it is constructed. The carpet you decide to get needs to be more than pretty.

You need to be able to maintain it well with regular cleaning sessions. The way you clean your carpet will have a lot to do with the way it is constructed.

A carpet is made by continually looping yarn through a backing material. More often than not, the yarn is made of nylon.

This material is used because it is known for being durable and soft. However, you will find that carpets are also made of wool and polyester.

The loops that are formed in the yarn are called the carpet’s pile. Several elements related to the pile will determine the way the carpet will feel and look.

For instance, variations of the length of the yarn loops and the pattern they are set in will alter the texture. Also, cutting loops or leaving them intact will change the appearance as much as varying the degree to which they are twisted.

Depending on several factors the shag carpet will have a texture that is more or less knobby and plush according to how the yarn loops were treated. This is the typical texture of shag carpeting that has been cut at a closer level. Creative Commons Texture-shag carpet by Karen / CC by 2.0

Moreover, your carpet’s life span will also be determined by the fibers that have been used to create it. Frieze carpeting has long fibers with a high twist which is why it is so durable. You will find that the lengthy fibers have been tightly twisted three to five times.

They are interwoven together so compactly that the fibers will start to curl back on themselves. As a result, you will have a carpet with a very dense texture that will not compress and flatten as old shag carpets did.

Fortunately, that means that it will withstand heavy traffic very well making it rather durable. Older shag carpet from the 60s and 70s was rather thick and bulky looking.

However, the frieze is typically made of thinner fiber strands and has a knobby appearance. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of the carpet you are considering purchasing, just check the label.

It will detail the fiber content as well as list where the carpet was made. Moreover, it will spill the tea on important, although boring, details required by the law.

Considering that nylon is still the most popular carpet fiber in the United States, do not be surprised when you check the label to find that your carpet is made using this material.

The great thing about nylon is that it is stain-resistant, durable, and resilient. However, in comparison to other synthetic fibers, it is on the more expensive side.

Before your carpet is in final form it first comes from long pieces of yarn such as the ones you see above. Nylon is a very popular fiber that is used to make most shag carpets.

Solution-dyed nylon is a colorfast linen yarn that has been made from flax. It has very high stain resistance.

Your carpet may also be made using natural materials such as wool. The benefit of this type of material is that it is static-resistant, strong, and rather pleasing to the touch.

Most synthetic fibers are designed to mimic the quality of wool. Another perk about wool is that it is resilient. Moreover, this natural material is stain-resistant and flame-retardant.

Most carpets these days come with a blend of several fibers. This is why you want to pay close attention to the kind you are buying. It will have a bearing on how you will end up cleaning your carpet to maintain it.

Doing your homework on the carpet you are considering buying is a great way to give yourself the upper hand in better understanding the construction of the material.

Frieze carpeting is definitely worth the purchase. There are many benefits to using this incredible carpeting. Let us take a look at a few of them now.

Durability

You will love how durable this type of carpet is. The fact that it has high twists means that you will have a lovely material underfoot that is much less likely to fray over time.

The high twist of the fibers allows it to flop over on its side. But why would this be significant? A strand of carpet is not as strong on the end as it is on its side.

When someone steps on fibers that are standing straight up and down, the impact of that footstep will be absorbed directly on top. Eventually, this will result in the fibers spreading or blooming and crushing the carpet.

Your carpet will get lots of traffic over the years. Guests, kids, and furry friends will leave their mark. But, the great thing about frieze carpet is that it can handle the traffic due to its construction and durability. 

However, when that same person steps on fibers that are long and flopped over, the impact of that footstep will be absorbed on the side of the fiber, where there is no danger of blooming. This makes frieze carpet a very durable option.

If you are not sure where to put your carpet, consider installing it in a high traffic area. This style of carpet is perfect for these kinds of areas such as hallways and stairs.

Frieze carpet can also work exceedingly well in a number of home settings. Consider adding it to your family rooms and bedrooms for a casual and inviting look.

The soft and cozy texture will practically pull you in to lounge on it making game night with the kids all the more pleasant. Or you can simply have some “me” time and relish in sinking your toes into the plush fibers as you revel in a little Netflix and chill time.

Although this type of carpet is great for high-traffic areas, you may not want to use it for formal settings since it tends to look more casual.

With the proper maintenance, you can expect this carpet to hold up well for a long time. Isn’t it nice to know that your wine is not the only thing you can expect to get better with time?

Hides Dirt and Seams

As long as you install this beauty in the correct location and maintain it well, it will hold on to its charm for many years to come. The twisted fibers will move in a manner that easily hides unattractive dirt spots, stains, and footprints.

With regular cleaning you can expect your carpet to last for years to come and still look good. Even if you miss a few cleaning sessions, you can rest assured that the construction of the carpet will be forgiving and camouflage dirt and stains well.

Regardless of how much you like to embrace your inner Martha Stuart and clean your house, you will find that in this fast-paced society, the floors simply will not be cleaned as often as you may like.

But frieze carpeting will give you a helping hand by hiding dirt and letting you fool everyone into thinking you hired a maid.

The lightly speckled color and thick, curly quality of the fiber keeps it from showing dirt as much as some other carpets. It will even minimize vacuum marks.

Frieze carpeting works wonders in hiding something else that can prove to be equally distracting – seams. The long fibers are perfect at hiding unsightly seams in your carpet.

When you decide to install carpet in a room that is wider than the width of the carpet roll (typically this is 12 and 15 feet) then you will need a seam. Unfortunately, this seam will give the look of a line through your precious carpet.

If the idea of seeing a seam glaring defiantly up at you sends you into low key panic mode, then you will love that the tightly twisted fibers of a frieze carpet will hide that menacing line.

If you have stairs in your house with railing posts then you will benefit from using frieze carpeting. It is fabulous at concealing seams where your carpet was cut around the posts. Also, it will hide any staples you have on the stairs.

Soft and Comfortable

If you love the thought of landing your feet on something plush and inviting first thing in the morning, then you will definitely start thirsting over frieze carpets if you have not already. They are supremely soft and comfortable to walk on.

There is nothing quite like enjoying your fave cup of joe while feeling the plush texture of a high-quality carpet under your feet as seen here.  

Imagine having your feet nestled in pillowy clouds of cushiness and you get the picture. Frieze carpets are able to help you experience this heavenly moment due in large part to their long and loose construction as well as the densely twisted fibers.

It can also be attributed to the fact that many modern carpets feature softer and newer fibers. Your feet will thank you come winter when the chill in the air leaves you craving the thick, comforting material to help you stay warm.

Insulating

Speaking of staying warm, you will adore how the high-quality construction of the fiber lends itself to a dense carpet that will provide your home nice, natural insulation. This will give you dual benefits.

For one, it will dampen the sound level. Your sweet abode will not have a hollow echoing noise. Moreover, the density of the fiber will prevent the outside temperature from penetrating through your floorboard.

As a result, you will have a lower utility bill. Extra money in the bank to splurge on that decadent new pair of shoes sounds like a win-win to me.

Frieze Carpet Installation

Before we make a nosedive straight into installing the carpet, it is important to think about how much this will cost. Unless you have the spending power of an industry titan, you most likely have a budget you have to stick to each month.

Although frieze carpeting is not nearly as expensive as premium flooring options such as hardwood, you will still pay more for it than you would other pile types. What can you expect to pay?

The prices will range. On the lower end, expect to spend $1 per square foot for a polyester frieze carpet.

However, the top-quality nylon frieze carpets can go for as much as $8 per square foot. There are a number of factors that will impact the cost of the carpet.

Things such as the fiber twist and face weight are taken into consideration when determining how to set the price of the carpet. The fiber twist simply refers to the amount of times the carpet fibers have been twisted.

The face weight is a term that is used to describe the amount of fabric that was needed to construct the carpet. The higher the fiber twist and face weight are, typically the higher the quality is, which translates into a more expensive carpet.

Most people are living on a budget. Many people are having to tighten their belts now considering the shape of the economy.

If cost is a major concern for you, then consider saving up for your frieze carpeting. Although the carpet itself is not super expensive, it does require special manufacturing in order to create the unique style and durability that are characteristic of this carpet.

All of this manufacturing will come at a cost to you that will be a bit more expensive than your standard carpet.

Installation Steps

Frieze carpets do not require a special technique to be installed. They are put in place in the same manner in which other types of carpet are.

In most cases, you will find that professionals are usually called in to handle this type of work since it is relatively quick and inexpensive. In some cases it may even be included in the cost you pay for the carpet.

Typically, people will hire professionals to install carpet because it saves time and is not very expensive. Notice how the guys in the photo have the right equipment. Most people do not have the right tools for this kind of work.  Creative Commons Carpet installers by college.library / CC by 2.0

When the pros do it, they will use a crew to prepare the floor. They will lay down a carpet pad. Afterward, they will install and secure the carpet using some special stretching tools.

It is a simple and straightforward process. That is why some will attempt to do it themselves. DIY installation is possible if you have the right tools for the job.

You can rent carpet installation tools. Be prepared to spend more than a day on this project – in other words, clear your plans for the weekend

But, be forewarned that the process might be a bit overwhelming for a newbie. It is better suited for someone who has at least an intermediate level of skill.

You will need to be prepared to take out the time to do some careful planning. If you do not want to fool with the planning process or loathe the idea of calculating precise measurements or if you simply lack a moderate amount of strength, then do not attempt this project.

However, if you are still game, then these instructions will show you exactly how to lay padding, tack strips, and carpet so everything looks good and stays in place.

Here are some tools you will need.

• carpet adhesives
• carpet padding
• carpet stretchers
• carpet transition strips
• chalk reels & chalk
• knives
• seaming irons
• safety glasses & sunglasses
• staple guns

1st Step – Install Your Tack Strips

You will need to get rid of everything on the floor as well as any doors that open into the room where you will install your carpet. Take a small hand saw and cut carpet tack strips so they will fit the edge of your room.

This is how your floor should look when you get ready to install your carpet. It should be bare after removing everything from the floor. Any old carpet should have already been removed as well.  Creative Commons Removing the tack strip by Gary Sproul / CC by 2.0

Lay the strips in a way that allows the tack points to face the wall. Position the strips along the door frames. Do not put any across the threshold of the door.

You want to avoid stepping on anything sharp. This project should not involve any trips to the medicine cabinet or hospital.

Leave some space between the walls and the tack strips. Aim for a space equal to about two-thirds the thickness of the carpet.

If you need help with this, just use a piece of scrap carpet as your point of reference. Once this is done, you will proceed to nail down the tack strips to the subfloor.

2nd Step – Install Your Carpet Padding

It is important to pick a good carpet pad. It will make the average carpet feel like a higher-quality one.

Do not buy cheap bonded foam pads. Although they are very inexpensive you should put your money toward a dense rubber padding.

It will feel amazing under your feet. Plus, it will protect your beautiful, new carpet from the sad effects of compression. Once you get the right padding, it is time to install it.

Position the carpet pad so that the seams will lay at right angles to those in the carpet. Using 2- to 3-inch masking tape, join the neighboring pieces together.

Taking a staple hammer-tacker, fasten the carpet pad against the edge of the tack strip. Get rid of any extra pad that is at the edge of the tack strip.

Either use a sharp utility knife or a carpet trimmer to do this. When you get to the pad seams, you will need to alternate the staples.

This is what your carpet padding should look like once it has been installed. You will notice that the edges have been trimmed to remove any excess padding.  Carpet padding by Steve Burt/ CC by 2.0

They should not be next to each other. Look at that – even your staples are practicing social distancing. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for choosing the right type of adhesive when installing both tack strips and carpet padding on concrete.

3rd Step – Measure and Cut Your Carpet

Get your measuring tape out, measure the longest wall, and add 6-inches to your measurement. Unroll your carpet.

Take your utility knife and notch the back of the carpet according to the appropriate measurement. Now roll up your carpet. Make sure that the backing is facing outward.

At this point, it will help if you snap a chalk line along the back of the carpet at the spot where you made your notch earlier. Placing the carpet chalk side up, you will position a board underneath it so you will have a steady surface for cutting.

Get out a straightedge to guide your carpet knife along the chalk line. Only use a sharp blade and be very careful as you cut so as not to injure yourself. Who wants blood on their new carpet?

4th Step – Lay Out Your Carpet and Secure its Seams

Once you are done cutting, you can unroll the carpet with the backing face-down. Lay it along the wall onto your carpet padding in the room.

You will need to keep roughly three inches lapping up the wall. In order to get your carpet to lie flat, you will have to make relief cuts at the corners.

Now you are at the point where it is time to lay the carpet down. Once you lay it along the wall, as pictured above, you will need to make cuts at the top. Carpet installer in action by kirybabe/ CC by 2.0

Using a carpet knife, make your cuts starting at the top. Unroll extra pieces of carpet into position so that your floor is covered.

You will need to have a detailed eye to ensure that the carpet’s pile leans in the same direction on each of the pieces. Break out your heat-activated seaming tape to use it where the two pieces of carpet meet.

Go over the adjoining edges to make sure that they are straight. They should also touch but not to the point where they are overlapping.

Pick up one side of the seam and bend it. Now, slide the seam tape part of the way beneath the carpet that is resting on the floor.

Grab the raised piece of carpet and lower it. You will need to check to see if the seam is tight for the entire length.

Position a heated seaming iron onto the seam. Next, you need to slowly glide it along the seam.

Doing so will activate your tape adhesive. Help the glue dry by putting heavy, flat objects on top of the seam.

5th Step – Anchor Your Carpet Along the First Wall

You will now need to bring out your knee kicker. Place it roughly three inches from a long wall that is near a corner.

Now, use your kicker to push and hook the carpet into position on the tack strip. Strike the kicker to pull any slack or wrinkles from your carpet as you latch it to the strips.

Get your carpet attached to the first wall and then cut away the extra material from the edge using a wall carpet trimmer. The wall trimmer will need to be set according to the thickness of the carpet.

After the carpet is down, you will need to break out the correct tools to stretch it to remove the wrinkles and then trim the excess material along the wall as pictured. Bro Glen Thomas Installing Carpet by Terry Platt/ CC by 2.0

You will need to keep your tool’s shoe pressed tightly against the carpet. Also, make sure that you keep the carpet tight against the baseboard while you guide it along your wall. Now press the cut edge below the baseboard with a stair tool or carpet tucker.

6th Step – Stretch Your Carpet

Now that you have your carpet anchored along the first wall, it is time to mosey along to the opposite wall. Using a carpet stretcher with lever action, you will need to stretch the carpet across the floor.

Position the stretcher’s head several inches from the wall to be attached. You want its teeth to grip into your carpet.

Make any adjustments to the extension rods behind the stretcher. They need to extend across the length of the floor and back to the first wall.

Keep your baseboard damage-free by putting down a scrap board. Get out your lever and push it down to stretch the carpet taut.

Next, you will need to reach in front of the power stretcher so that you can hook the carpet onto the tack strip.

Going along the wall, remove any excess using a wall trimmer. At this point, you should tuck the edge underneath the baseboard.

Once you get the carpet anchored to the two opposite walls, you will repeat the procedure. You must stretch, anchor, cut, and tuck the remaining walls.

7th Step – Install Your Transition Moulding

Put in carpet transition strips at places where the carpet meets another type of flooring. Using a latex seam sealer, make sure that you seal the edge of the carpet to avoid unraveling.

There is where you want to lay down your carpet transition strips. You will notice how the carpet meets the wood flooring. At these points you will have to have transition strips. Office Carpet Installation by Emily May/ CC by 2.0

Get out your tape and measure the threshold. Using a hacksaw, cut the carpet gripper to the appropriate length.

Now, screw the carpet trim to the floor. Break out your knee kicker again and use it to fit the carpet over the hooks in the carpet gripper.

Take a rubber mallet and hit the bar. You could also place a block of wood over the bar. Doing so will protect it while allowing you to hammer the flange closed over the carpet edge.

Now that your carpet is successfully installed, you can kick your feet up and enjoy the glory. All you need to know how to do now is properly clean it so that you will be able to maintain that brand new look for years to come.

How to Clean Your Carpeting

If there is one drawback to friezes, it is that they can be rather difficult to clean. If you have carpet in your home that has a tighter, shorter pile, you have probably noticed how the spills are able to sit on top of the carpet.

This construction makes it much easier to get rid of any unwanted carpet stains with a carpet stain remover. However, since frieze fibers are loose and long, any spill that is made will roam freely.

Since it can run everywhere, it will be much more difficult to remove the stain. Those long fibers may look lovely and luxurious, but they have a nasty tendency to grab and hold onto moisture and stains with a kung-fu grip.

Fortunately, frieze carpets do hide dirt, stains, and foot marks well.

Your carpet will see plenty of foot traffic over the years to come. But the beauty of frieze carpeting is that it does not show stains as easily as other carpet styles do. With regular vacuum cleaning you will be able to keep it looking pristine for many moons to come.

Plus, manufacturers are making carpets with excellent stain resistance built into the fibers. Before purchasing your carpet, make sure to check for a comprehensive soil and stain warranty on the carpet.

Opt for a solution-dyed fiber. This type of carpet has undergone a process in which the color was added directly during the manufacturing process, not applied later.

When this happens, the color entirely penetrates the fiber, resulting in material that has very high stain resistance. A stain-resistant carpet will make your cleaning day go by a lot quicker.

Vacuuming Frieze Carpeting

When it comes to maintaining your frieze carpet, you want to make sure you vacuum it at least every two weeks. Do not try pile lifting as it would be far too aggressive.

The vacuum that you use should have a beater bar. This feature will shake up any dirt that is trying to hide under the individual carpet fibers.

Using the beater bar comes in handy when trying to clean a particularly dirty spot. However, the brushes can rotate quickly and may slowly shred your frieze strands.

This will not happen overnight. It will be a gradual shred that leaves an unsightly texture on your carpet. Prevent this from happening by only turning on the beater bar when needed.

Ideally, your vacuum will also have a setting for high pile carpet. This will prevent you from snagging the fibers and creating a frayed look as you vacuum.

Speaking of frayed fibers, you need to be sure that you adjust your vacuum brush to a higher setting. When the brush is down too low, it will dive too deeply into the fibers causing them to fray.

Prevent this from being an issue by setting your vacuum brush on the highest setting. Doing so will allow the brush to gently comb its way through the long fibers without chewing them up.

Frieze carpeting is unique so it requires a unique vacuum cleaner. The last thing you want to do is ruin a lovely carpet with an ill-equipped vacuum.

Now do not worry about getting the most tricked out and expensive dirt sucker on the market. That will not be necessary. When it comes to choosing the right vacuum it is more practical and important to focus on getting one that will not damage your precious carpet.

After all, you have spent the money and time getting it so you want to make sure you take care of your investment. Your carpet should last you for years.

Make sure that the quality of your vacuum is good and that it comes with the ability to turn off the brush. Check out these well-designed beauties for inspiration.

Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly Ultra Plush Vacuum

Kenmore’s unique vacuum is incredible at cleaning shag carpet. It will even pick up pet hair. Its pet power mate attachment makes picking up hard to reach pet hair much easier.

Designed to easily clean extra plush carpets, this vacuum is allergy-sufferer friendly with its HEPA filtration system. Moreover, it has a double-wall that prevents debris from getting caught in the filter.

However, it is worth noting that the floor attachment is really thick. You may have a time trying to get it to fit under some items you want to vacuum.

Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Rewind Plus Upright Vacuum

Hoover’s upright vacuum is great for those who share a fondness of shag carpet and pets. The air-powered pet hand tool allows you to remove pet hair from the floor with ease.

It comes with a folding handle that makes it extremely easy to tuck away in a variety of spots in your home. The retractable 25-foot cord means you can kiss those days of walking around to pick up your vacuum cord goodbye.

Although this vacuum is ideal to use on plush carpeting, it is not the best option for cleaning hardwood floors.

Miele Complete C3 Vacuum

Miele offers amazing cleaning power. This beauty comes with an adjustable suction control. If you suffer from allergies, you will appreciate that it comes with a HEPA AirClean Filter as well as an AirClean Sealed system.

That means that nearly all of the allergy-triggering particles that would normally float about in the air will be absorbed by the filter keeping you sneeze-free.

On the other hand, this model is on the heavier side and weighs around twenty pounds.

Soniclean Soft Carpet Combo Vacuum

Sonicclean’s soft carpet vacuum cleaner is rare in that it is one of the few vacuums that will give your thick shag carpets a deep clean. This gem is able to do so because it can reach the roots of the carpet.

It tackles dirt, stains, and crumbs with its soft nylon brush. It cleans shag carpet in a way that doesn’t shred the fibers into thin layers of nubs.

However, long fibers can get entangled in the brush roll. Therefore, it is better to turn off the brush roll. Just vacuum with the suction feature.

Oreck Magnesium RS Swivel-Steering Upright Vacuum

Oreck makes cleaning thick, plush carpets easy.  This jewel is constructed with a durable and strong magnesium frame.

Its high-performance motor offers the kind of power you would expect from an Oreck. Yet, it is somehow one of the lightest vacuum cleaners available that will still hit you with the full power you need to clean your carpets effectively.

You will need to put the vacuum on a lower setting to enable it to clean a frieze carpet with less effort; otherwise, it might not move as smoothly for you.

Spot Clean Religiously

There will be times when you do not need to break out the vacuum. A spill here or there is bound to happen and when it does you will need to know how to spot clean it correctly,

When there is a spill, you should clean it up ASAP. Otherwise, it will easily sink into the deep abyss of shagland and be very hard to find.

In order to clean the stain successfully, you will need to take a moist, white towel and gently blot the spill out to remove it. Do not ever rub the spill as if you were scrubbing a dirty pot in the sink.

Doing so may very well leave you with untwisted tufts. It may be tempting to get down on all fours and start scrubbing as if your life depended on it especially if the stain went further down than you realized.

However, you must resist this urge. If somehow the stain has managed to sneak its way down deeper into the carpet, just part the fibers and start pressing down on them.

You will need to get down on your hands and knees to properly do spot cleaning as you see the man doing above. Just make sure you blot not scrub.

Jared scrubs the first of many carpet stains by Erica Cherup/ CC by 2.0

After you do this, you will then part them an inch or so over from the first part. Now blot the stain again. Continue this process until you notice that the spilled material has been soaked up.

Another thing to note is that you should avoid using powdered deodorizers. The powdery, fine texture will cause the deodorizer to get stuck on the long carpet fibers. Once they work their way inside, you may never be able to get it up.

Do a Deeper Extraction Cleaning

Consider elevating your cleaning game and calling in the pros to do an extraction cleaning twice a year if it is in your budget.

Make sure they do not clean your carpet at a high temperature as this too may untwist the tufts. Also, since frieze carpet enjoys retaining water, make sure that the person doing your carpet cleaning does extra dry strokes.

Otherwise, if the carpet is not allowed to dry out thoroughly and quickly, it can start to mold. The carpet cleaning professionals you use should break out the high-powered suction equipment to get out as much water as possible.

If you decide to go the DIY route and shampoo your frieze carpet, be mindful of not ejecting too much water into it. The second time around, go over the carpet with the shampooing machine on “suction only” mode.

Doing so will help to ensure that you extract as much moisture as possible to prevent mold.